Certificate

Certificate: Definition and Requirements

A certificate is defined under New York State Regulations (50.1) as a credential issued by an institution in recognition of the completion of a curriculum other than one leading to a degree. Certificates are defined as a structured group of courses that focus on a specific area of knowledge. As such, they are stand-alone programs and focus on specific skills needed in the workplace for career advancement, career change, continuing education requirements, or personal education enhancement.

RIT’s ICC has determined that certificates are stand-alone programs and as such are not part of a registered undergraduate degree program. This credential is awarded to students demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge in a specific area or discipline.

Credits earned through a post-baccalaureate certificate (an advanced certificate) in which there is an approved master’s degree may, upon approval of the program and the graduate college, count toward a master’s degree.

Minimum Credit Hours:

NYSED does not stipulate a minimum number of credit hours for a certificate. Typically, however, certificates are a minimum of 12 semester credit hours.

New York State does establish minimum credit requirements for financial aid eligibility as designated below.

Any change in credit hours to a certificate or advanced certificate requires NYSED approval before the change becomes effective. Submit a completed NYSED Change or Adapt a Registered Program Form to the Office of the Vice Provost for review, approval and submission to NYSED. Your submission should include a rationale for the change in credit hours and how the change affects certificate learning outcomes and an updated Table 1a for a certificate or Table 1b for an advanced certificate.

Course Requirements:

Each credit-bearing course in a Certificate program must be applicable to one or more degree programs. This means that courses used in a certificate must be courses approved by the University and designated as part of a pre-existing major, liberal arts and sciences or as a free general elective.

Faculty Requirements:

Faculty members teaching at the certificate, associate degree, and baccalaureate levels must hold at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field and have the background for in-depth teaching, curriculum development, and program evaluation responsibilities.

Certain occupational specializations may merit demonstration of competence alternative to a master’s degree. In all institutions, faculty with master’s degrees and beyond, and with substantial collective experience in college teaching and academic administration should be strongly predominant.